In part three of this three-part Music Foundations video tutorial series, Dubspot Instructor Max Wild demonstrates how to reharmonize chord progressions to work with an acapella in Ableton Live using Ellie Goulding’s “Lights” as an example.

In part one and two of this Music Foundations video tutorial series, Max demonstrated techniques for transcribing acapella vocal samples and chord progressions. In this final installment, Max Wild focuses on reharmonizing the melody of an acapella to create new harmonic chord progressions.

To those of you unfamiliar with the term reharmonization: Reharmonization means changing the harmony (or chord sequence) to a song by replacing the existing chord sequence with chords of your own to give the song a different sound, and personal touch. For instance, you could change a song from minor to major or vice versa by reharmonizing it. This technique is a very useful tool in remixing.

In this demonstration, Max finds figures out all the chords available to create a new harmonic sequence. He explores all the diatonic triads available that would work to reharmonize the chord progression. For example, there are seven diatonic triads available in this demonstration, and they are G#min, A#dim, Bmaj, C#min, D#min, Emaj, and F#maj. Using these available triads, Max determines the main melody notes in each measure that sound the best to him.

“In my chord sequence, I am using a different triad for every measure. However, how frequently you want to change chords is up to your personal taste. When figuring out my chord sequences I try to include a mixture of major and minor triads for variety. Once I have decided on a sequence I like, I am ready to record it. I can now arrange my remix by adding other instruments, such as bass, pads, and arpeggios, which will all follow this same sequence and give the acapella a new harmonic feel. I hope you enjoy using this tool as much as I do!” – Max Wild

Unravel electronic music’s origins, build your chops, learn musical language and theory, and make and play music the way you want. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the roots and lineage of a variety of electronic and dance music genres, strengthen their keyboard skills, and learn valuable music theory, deepening their creative practice and facilitating effective collaborations with musical partners.

About This Program

The best producers, DJs, and musicians in the world strive to be well-rounded. So should you. In Dubspot’s Music Foundations Program, you’ll explore three major aspects of music: rhythmic theory, melodic theory, and critical listening.

Most pioneering early electronic musicians had years of conservatory training in theory and performance but had access to very limited technologies. In today’s musical world, it’s the opposite: we have a powerful and versatile array of electronic music making tools at our fingertips, but often fall short in our theoretical understanding of how electronic music works.

Our Music Foundations program is designed to fill this gap and provide training in fundamental skills and concepts with the electronic musician, DJ, and producer in mind. In this course, you’ll build your chops and learn the basics of musical language and theory so that you can make and play the music you want. You will also develop a deeper understanding of the roots and lineage of a variety of electronic and dance music genres, and explore compositional techniques and song structure. The weekly homework lessons for all three courses have been designed using Ableton Live, and along the way you’ll also learn the basics of Ableton and how to use it as a powerful tool to improve your musicianship in a variety of ways.

What’s Included

Music Foundations Level 1: Pads & Rhythmic Theory

Music Foundations Level 2: Keys & Melodic Theory

Music Foundations Level 3: Critical Listening

Additional Information

Visit the Music Foundationscourse page for detailed information on this programhere.